Introducing the Microsoft Xbox One S

If you managed to hold off from purchasing the popular Xbox One for three years, your patience will soon be rewarded. Introducing the Microsoft Xbox One S. Now 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, Microsoft even managed to put the power supply inside the console so you don’t have to deal with the large power brick the way you did with the previous version. Due to popular demand, you can now place the Xbox One S vertically, provided that you have the optional Xbox One Vertical Stand (included with the 2TB model).

The Xbox One S isn’t just slimmer and a different color (it comes in white). It also has some new features for video and gameplay. You’ll now be able to play UHD Blu-ray Discs, making it one of the few Blu-ray players that is able to do so at the time this was written. You’ll also be able to stream video in 4K via content providers, such as Netflix and Amazon Video. Of course, to enjoy 4K content, you’ll need to have a compatible 4K TV.

4K isn’t the only thing the Xbox One S offers. It also supports High Dynamic Range (HDR). The Xbox One S allows you to experience richer, more luminous colors in supported games, such as Gears of War 4 and Scalebound. With a higher contrast ratio, HDR brings out the visual depth of your games and media. While Microsoft had to remove the dedicated Kinect port to achieve its compact size, you’ll still be able to use a Kinect via a Kinect to USB adapter. There is also an integrated IR blaster, as well.
The console isn’t the only thing that was redesigned. The 2016 version of the Microsoft Xbox One Wireless Controller features a 3.5mm stereo headset jack, textured grips, and improved thumbsticks. Microsoft improved the wireless signal performance of the controller so it can provide up to twice the wireless range of its predecessor. The controller also has added Bluetooth support so you can easily connect wirelessly to Windows 10 devices. Please note that Windows 10 devices must be running the Windows Anniversary Update to take advantage of the Bluetooth capabilities.
The 2TB model of the Xbox One S will be released in August 2016, while the 500GB and 1TB models will be released sometime in December 2016.